Bonded retainer keeps breaking

[Lilkiwi]

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster. I've had my bonded retainers on for just over 2 years now after having braces for approx 18 months. I had lots of work done including 4 teeth being pulled before my braces went on and a canine 'fang' pulled down into a gap). I'm happy with the results, but the bonded retainers are really causing me problems. My upper one has become unglued twice, and my bottom I sit has unglued 4 times. Today, the glue has come off the end so I have the sharp end of the wire exposed.

I have anxiety issues which exuberate when I'm at the orthodontist, now to the point I have small panicking attacks when they do the re-bonding. I also worry daily about the wire breaking. I'm extremely cautious with what I eat and take care not to bite into hard things. I wear my removable retainers every single night. I have bad plaque build up, particularly on the bottom teeth.

I have asked my orthodontist before about removing the bottom bonded retainer and he said my teeth will move. I am going to visit him again to get the latest breakage fixed.

My question is, would removing the bottom bonded retainer and replacing it with a removable on be ok in terms of stopping my teeth move? I never forget to put in my current removable retainers so I know is put a new removable one in every night.

My anxiety over it is starting to affecting me quite a bit, I am just not sure it's worth giving the bonded retainer another go.

Sorry for the long winded post!

[sara2280]

I used to have a lower bonded retainer that kept breaking. After fixing it several times, my ortho decided to just leave it off and said things had settled where they are going to settle. If you have removeable retainers too, then I would think you would be okay without the permanent ones at this point. Talk to your ortho about it, it has been 2 years.

[plugnickel69]

My ortho said forever with the bonded retainers. I have had no breakage after a year and do not worry about what I eat. Maybe they need to use a stronger bonding material for you.